The fame of India’s Oscar Hopeful, ‘Laapataa Ladies’ appears to have become synonymous with the rise of Biplab Goswami, the screenwriter of the Kiran Rao-directed movie.
The low-budget Bollywood film chronicles the misadventures of two young brides, who get lost from the same train.
In a narrative that defies conventional boundaries, Biplab Goswami, a native of Agartala, Tripura, has found himself in the elite league of the world of cinema, captivating audiences globally with his poignant storytelling.
Goswami’s journey from the serene landscapes of Tripura to the vibrant realm of Bollywood is a fairytale journey.
Set in the era of pre-technology hit India when basic technology was missing, ‘Laapataa Ladies’ is an adaptation of Biplab Goswami’s story ‘Two Brides’. The story which revolves around the lives of three people – two brides and a groom – and how their life gets affected when the groom mistakenly brings home the wrong bride, is a small film but serves a big purpose. Yoking together sequences capturing confusion, stigmas, societal reflections and poignantly narrating the tale has been the artistry of the screenwriter.
Siddthartha Alberrt Majumder of Indoeuronews.com catches up with Goswami in a tête-à-tête.
IEN : How does it feel after you heard about ‘Lapata Ladies’ making an Oscar entry?
Biplab: I was overjoyed after hearing about the Oscar entry. I was, however, confident that the movie has the potential to get applause not only in India but also abroad. The primary reason is my minute treatment of the plot, stitching together small or big sequences. I was sure that the interesting content of the film would resonate with audiences and I’m happy that it clicked.
IEN : When did you start writing the synopsis?
Biplab: Actually, I ideated and wrote the synopsis of the movie about 10 years ago. today After writing the screenplay, I took time to finetune it. I visited several rural places and noticed each paraphernalia and events of rural life. I did an in-depth research on nuances of ruralites’ clothing pattern, exchange of words and their expressions for the sake of the movie. After a thorough research, I came up with a satisfactory story for reel adaptation.
IEN: How did Kiran Rao and Aamir Khan get the story of ‘Lapata Ladies’?
Biplab: About 5-6 years ago, I happened to take part at a competition called ‘Global Search for Indian Scriptwriters’ which invited screenplays for Hindi films. The incident took place at the end of 2018. I prepared 25 scenes of this story. Out of nearly 4,000 scripts, my script came second. Aamir Khan, Juhi Chaturvedi, Anjum Rajabali and Rajkumar Hirani, who were the jury members, liked my screenplay of this movie.
IEN : What happened thereafter?
Biplab: Amir Khan then called me at his house where he along with Kiran Rao listened to the script minutely. Aamir wanted to produce the film while Kiran preferred to direct it. Being a fan of Aamir’s movies, I was pleased that I would get an opportunity to work with him.
IEN : Did you think beforehand about portraying the condition of the girls and women in India through two women?
Biplab: Yes. I have always thought in similar lines even before I started studying at the Satyajit Roy Film and Television Institute (SRFTI). The discrimination between men and women is stark and the gender divide is obvious in the society. I believe writers and filmmakers need to talk about this. I tried to portray shades of extreme patriarchy, different aspects of gender inequality in different places through the story of ‘Lapata Ladies’.
IEN : Talking about Oscar-winning director Satyajit Ray’s films like ‘Devi’, ‘Mahanagar’ or ‘Pather Panchali’, these famous movies have portrayed the emotions of women and their happiness and sorrows. Did studying at the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute help you delve deep into women’s issues more?
Biplab: Consciously or unconsciously, I am impressed and inspired by Ray’s films. Besides, I have been an art and culture lover since childhood. I liked watching different kinds of movies. Studying at the SRFTI helped me give a concrete shape to my ideas.
IEN: In films, many changes or distortions occur in the name of cinematic effect. Did it happen in the case of ‘Laapataa Ladies’?
Biplab: Yes. Certain changes have been made. Sneha Desai and Divanidhi Sharma also worked on screenplay and dialogues. Everyone did a great job.